Disable Smilies in This Post. Show Signature: include your profile signature. Only registered users may have signatures.

*If HTML and/or UBB Code are enabled, this means you can use HTML and/or UBB Code in your message.

If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.

T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Discovery Collectibles release

New Release of NASA Approved Collectible Space Coin Collection

The National Aeronautics and Space Association has licensed a new, extremely limited line of 10 collectible space coins celebrating the final years of the Hubble Space Telescope called the HST Discovery Coin Series.

Discovery Collectibles, an exclusive creator of rare coin lines focusing on space exploration and discovery, today announced the release of a highly limited collection of 10 brilliant silver nickel uncirculated coins celebrating the work of NASA and the amazing odyssey of the Hubble Space Telescope.

This first collection of 10 coins focuses on the eight planets in our solar system. This commemorative coin collection includes an extremely rare Pluto coin, the last Pluto-Hubble coin approved by NASA before the planet was decommissioned in 2006. It also includes a remarkable Sun coin, striking in its powerful, kinetic design.

Inspired by the NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act which authorizes the US Mint to produce a $50 gold coin with an image of the Sun and nine $1 silver coins each representing one of the nine planets in our solar system, Discovery Collectibles worked with NASA to create a coin line that complements the anniversary and celebrates one of the agency's greatest accomplishments of the Hubble Telescope.

"Minting coins is a distinctive way to honor 50 years of dedicated service by the men and women of JPL and NASA," said Representative Adam Schiff, who was a co- sponsor of the Act.

Only 1000 complete sets of the HST Discovery Collection have been minted worldwide. According to NASA a total of 30 designs in all have approved which will focus on Hubble Discoveries in deep space and some of the new coins will also include material from deep space as well. One of the coins in the following set will include pieces of meteorite and flown metal from NASA spacecraft.

All the coins in the current and future HST Discovery Collection were hand designed by sculptor Alex Shagin, a Russian born designer who was awarded the fabled American Numismatic Society J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal in 1995. Mr. Shagin's work is displayed in some of the world's greatest museums such as the National Air and Space Museum, the Hermitage Museum and the British Museum Permanent Numismatic Collection.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

May be nitpicking here, but I don't see a country of origin nor a denomination. Therefore I'd be more likely to classify these as medallions than coins (but then again, I don't collect coins that are made specifically for collectors rather than are minted for the general public).

MScherzi

The National Aeronautics and Space Association

While implying these are NASA coins, they seem to me to be merely commemorative medals issued by a private entity. Using a name similar to "National Aeronautics and Space ADMINISTRATION" to mislead the consumer-along the lines of the private "Postal Commemorative Society" which issued those great "gold" stamps.

Robert Pearlman

quote:Originally posted by MScherzi:Using a name similar to "National Aeronautics and Space ADMINISTRATION" to mislead the consumer-along the lines of the private "Postal Commemorative Society" which issued those great "gold" stamps.

In this specific case, I believe the use of "Association" is a mistake in a press release, rather than an attempt to create confusion between space agency titles.

That said, as was noted on the front page of collectSPACE, any claim of "license" or "approval" is simply referring to the same process all commercial products wishing to use the NASA logo must pass, which ironically insures that the NASA name and insignia is not used to imply endorsement by the agency.

Gus Man B

Where can I get this set?

I went to the main site but it says they are all sold out and they do not have an e-mail address. Thanks.

j0s9

I was selling some set of the Alex Shagin coins on eBay, actually I have 9 out of 10 coins (no Pluto). I could get some sets more if people are interested!

space-coins

I do have a few complete sets left (including the coin display board)... just email me!

Wehaveliftoff

At least they include Pluto.

Although I've never heard of a silver-nickel alloy, are they silver plated nickel pieces?

tnperri

Anyone know where I might find a set of these? Thanks.

JBoe

I would be very interested in obtain a set!

I went to the webpage and tried the phone number with no success. I received a telephone number has been disconnected or no longer in use. Similarly unsuccessful was the Discovery Collectibles website or nasacoins.com.

Robert Pearlman

Just in case it isn't noticed, the date of the original release: 2007.

tnperri

Yes, I noticed the original release. Just hoping there was one around for sale.